Wheel aligning method and apparatus

Abstract

The wheel aligning method and apparatus relates to the replacing of the wheel to be aligned with the novel apparatus, which helps support the vehicle, and yet provides relatively easy access to the wheel strut assembly for alignment purposes. The apparatus includes a rigid member assembly adapted to be mounted on the strut assembly in place of the wheel, and a base assembly is pivotally connected to the rigid member assembly for resting on a supporting surface. The strut assembly is adjustable in height to enable the rigid member assembly and its base assembly to move adjustably relative to one another to adjust the overall height of the apparatus.

I claim: 
     
       1. Wheel alignment apparatus comprising: support means including a pair of rigid, spaced-apart, upright support members;   rigid member means mounted on said support members and adapted to be mounted to a strut assembly of a vehicle in place of one of its wheels; and   base means pivotally attached to said rigid member means at the bottom thereof to enable said rigid member means and said base means to pivot relative to one another during adjustment of said assembly, said base means being adjustable in its height dimension to accommodate different size vehicle wheels, said base means being an elongated block having a sufficient length to extend substantially the entire distance between said upright support members and having a plurality of elongated sides for engaging a supporting surface, said base means including pivot means disposed in an off-center position relative to a central axis of said base means to enable it to be rotated about said axis to enable a selected one of said sides to face downwardly.   
     
     
       2. Wheel alignment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sides of base means includes a plurality of flat surfaces for engaging a supporting surface, and each one of said surfaces is disposed at a different distance from said pivot means to provide a different overall height of said device. 
     
     
       3. Wheel alignment apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said base means includes said elongated block is tubular throughout its length and is rigid. 
     
     
       4. Wheel alignment apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said block is solid and rigid throughout its length. 
     
     
       5. Wheel alignment apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said block is rectangular in cross-section throughout its length to provide four flat supporting-surface engaging surfaces. 
     
     
       6. Wheel alignment apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said block is square in its cross-sectional shape throughout its length. 
     
     
       7. Wheel alignment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said rigid member means includes a generally circular rigid member having an opening therein for permitting access to the strut assembly for adjustment purposes. 
     
     
       8. Wheel alignment apparatus comprising: rigid member means adapted to be mounted to a strut assembly of a vehicle in place of one of its wheels;   base means pivotally attached to said rigid member at the bottom side thereof to enable said rigid member means and said base means to pivot relative to one another during adjustment of said assembly, said base means being adjustable in its height dimension to accommodate different size vehicle wheels, said base means being an elongated block having a plurality of sides for engaging a supporting surface, said base means including pivot means disposed in an off-center position relative to a central axis of said base means to enable it to be rotated about said axis to enable a selected one of said sides to face downwardly;   wherein said sides of the base means includes a plurality of flat surfaces for engaging a supporting surface, and each one of said surfaces is disposed at a different distance from said pivot means to provide a different overall height of said device;   wherein said block is solid, rigid, and square in cross-section throughout its length to provide four flat supporting-surface engaging surfaces; and   wherein said rigid member means includes clamping means adapted to be attached releasably to the strut assembly, and positioning means for moving said rigid member means toward and away from said clamping means to cause said rigid member to pivot about the pivotal connection to said base means for wheel adjustment purposes.   
     
     
       9. Wheel alignment apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said positioning means includes a manually rotatable handle adapted to be rotated by the hand of the user. 
     
     
       10. Wheel alignment apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said positioning means includes a pivot member mounted transversely on the top portion of said rigid member means, and a threaded rod fixed to said handle and engaging threaded into a threaded opening in said pivot member to enable said threaded rod to be rotated axially by said handle to move said pivot member and said rigid member means relative thereto. 
     
     
       11. Wheel alignment apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said clamping means includes a chain for wrapping about a portion of the strut assembly. 
     
     
       12. Wheel alignment apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said chain is connected to an end portion of said threaded rod, and said handle is connected to the opposite end thereof. 
     
     
       13. Wheel alignment apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said rigid member means includes a generally circular rigid member having an opening therein for permitting access to the strut assembly for adjustment purposes. 
     
     
       14. A method of aligning a vehicle wheel, comprising, using an apparatus comprising:   rigid member means adapted to be mounted to a strut assembly of a vehicle in place of one of its wheels; and   base means pivotally attached to said rigid member at the bottom side thereof to enable said rigid member means and said base means to pivot relative to one another during adjustment of said assembly, said base means being adjustable in its height dimension to accommodate different size vehicle wheels, said base means being an elongated block having a plurality of sides for engaging a supporting surface, sasid base means including pivot means disposed in an off-center position relative to a central axis of said base means to enable it to be rotated about said axis to enable a selected one of said sides to face downwardly;   rotating said base means about its axis to position a desired one of said sides downwardly;   removing a vehicle wheel; and   mounting said apparatus in place of the removed wheel to facilitate strut adjustment.   
     
     
       15. Wheel alignment apparatus comprising: rigid member means adapted to be mounted to a strut assembly of a vehicle in place of one of its wheels;   base means pivotally attached to said rigid member at the bottom side thereof to enable said rigid member means and said base means to pivot relative to one another during adjustment of said assembly, said base means being adjustable in its height dimension to accommodate different size vehicle wheels, said base means being an elongated block having a plurality of sides for engaging a supporting surface, said base means including pivot means disposed in an off-center position relative to a central axis of said base means to enable it to be rotated about said axis to enable a selected one of said sides to face downwardly; and   wherein said rigid member means includes clamping means adapted to be attached releaseably to the strut assembly, and positioning means for moving said rigid member means toward and away from said clamping means to cause said rigid member to pivot about the pivotal connection to said base means for wheel adjustment purposes.